Inclusion Policy

Mission Statement for Inclusion

The Squirrels’ Nest is committed to
providing high quality care to children and their families with the guidance of experienced Child Care Educators in an environment thatis safe and supports inclusion and committed to treating all children
with respect and dignity.

The definition of inclusion is ‘to include, to hold, embrace,
involve, to count among”.

Our belief is that all children including children with
special needs can develop to their fullest potential by being given the fundamental right to participate in an inclusive program that delivers service equity, is barrier-free, bias free and
provides cultural and racial harmony through the celebration of diversity.

In partnership with the families we are committed to meeting
each child’s unique needs.

Additional Outside Support

The Squirrels’ Nest is committed to working with Community Agencies to
enhance our ability to provide additional support to children with special needs through guidance, training, development of strategies and consultation.

Signed parental consent is
required for a Resource Consultant to assist the staff.

Staff, parents, and the agency
representative will meet to discuss additional strategies and an action plan is developed within a time frame. Regular meetings will be conducted to review the progress and revisit the goals and
strategies.

Consent for the Release of Information

The legal and
ethical practice of the Squirrels' Nest Child Care Centre is to obtain parental signed consent prior to the sharing of confidential information.

Specific
information to be disclosed are included but not limited are identified as attendance, psychological, psychiatric, occupational therapy, medical, custodial, illness, immunization, behaviour,
social work and/or speech-language. Parents and legal guardians have the right to determine which pieces of information can be released, except when
required by law.

Who the information
is being released to is identified as the Child Care, CAS, TDSB, and TCDSB, Family support programs, Ministry of Education and agencies and/or individuals who will be in receipt of
information.

Parents will be
informed immediately by management when information sharing and/or a release have occurred. Documentation of disclosure will be indicated in child’s
file.